Steve's Hiking/Backpacking Page
My most enjoyable activity has to be hiking, camping, and backpacking. Here's a list of hikes I have done:
South Wilderness Hike, Olympic National Park, WA, near La Push, from Third Beach trailhead to Scott's Creek shelter, app. 10 miles round trip, 1 night.
Mt. Storm King (elevation 4500 ft.), Olympic National Park, WA, near Lake Crescent, from Lake Crescent Lodge trailhead to near summit, app. 4 miles round trip, 3 hours.
Hoh Rain forest/Hoh River Trail, Olympic National Park, WA, near Forks, from Visitor Center trailhead to Olympus campsite, app. 18 miles round trip, 1 night.
Ozette Loop, Olympic National Park, WA, near Sekiu, from Ozette trailhead to Sand Point to Cape Alava to Ozette trailhead, app. 9 miles, day hike.
North Wilderness Hike, Olympic National Park, WA, near La Push, from Rialto Beach to Cape Johnson, app. 10 miles, day hike.
Loyalsock Trail, World's End State Park, PA, app. 9 miles, 2 nights.
Susquehannock Trail System (STS), near Galeton, PA, app. 5 miles, 1 night.
Black Forest Trail (BFT), northern central PA, app. 10 miles, 2 nights.
Sleeping Beauty Mountain (elev. 2450'), near Lake George, NY, app. 7 miles, day trip.
-Future Hiking Plans-
Finger Lakes Trail, from Allegany State Park to Catskill Park, New York
Lake George Wilderness area trails, near Lake George, NY.
Northville-Placid Trail, Adirondack Park, New York
Long Trail, Vermont, from Massachusetts border to Quebec border.
Appalachian Trail, from Georgia to Maine.
-Clubs and Organisations-
Adirondack Mountain Club
-Equipment I Recommend-
Nike Air Massif Waterproof (heavyweight) Boots
Wiggy's lamilite sleeping bags
Ridge Rest (closed cell) sleeping foam pad (full length)
Camp Trails McKinley external frame packs
-Equipment Companies & Links-
Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS)
Campmor (cheapest equipment catalogue around!)
-Backpacking Tips for a better Hike-
Bring extra pairs of boots and wool socks. You can tie your boots to your pack on the outside, but be sure to tie the laces close to the boot or if you have a loop, use that, so the boots don't swing all around.
Advantages of external frame packs: keeps back cool and dry, more comfortable. Disadvantages: less stable, outside place for sleeping bag can leave bag open to dampness.
Advantages to internal frame packs: more stability, inside strage for sleeping bag keeps it dry. Disadvantages: Heavier, uncomfortable, closeness to the back (body) creates sweat and moisture.
Leave your sleeping bag rolled up until you get into it. If unrolled for long enough time, it most likely will get damp.
Be prepared for any weather situation. Carry an emergency first aid kit in case of injury. Overall, just be prepared for anything.
-Other Hiking/Parks/Trails Links-
Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Another FLT page, mainly focusing on the Ithaca/Tompkins County area.
Virtual Hikes in the Adirondacks